What a Year

As 2009 winds down, I thought I would take a moment to reflect. There has been a lot going on this year in our neck of the woods. I won't spend too much time recapping everything. (For that just go back and read old blogs throughout the year.) But, I will open up a little about how God has chosen to grow me this year.

My eyes have been opened to a great many things this year. Things that I maybe knew in my head but didn't necessarily know in my heart. God is so good. That He chooses to be sooooooo patient with me, I will never understand. I am glad that He continues to refine me although there are times that I definitely have grown weary.

God is in control! There is no doubt in my mind. I saw friends lose their babies this year, communities lose their officers, churches misplace their trust, and my own faith put to the test. There are times I have had to take a strong stand for what I believe to be the Truth. There are times I have had to walk away and trust that God will move hearts. There are times when I have been hurt and run to my heavenly father for comfort. There have been incredible times of growth and life lived with my husband and our children. There has been times of evaluation as to why I do the things that I do, why I serve, or where my humility is lacking. There have been times of peace and times of turmoil. God has shown me where I can be improving. He has challenged me to know Him better. He has invited me to know more about who He is completely. Not just the God who I run to when I need something or I want to say thankyou. God is challenging me to really understand what it means to be in true AWE of Him. To not fully understand Him and still be envealoped by what I can grasp.

I don't know how 2010 will go. I don't get to see ahead and prepare for those really tough times. But I do know that God is in control. I know that He will guide me and use me if I am willing to be available to Him. I just get to wake up tomorrow and live it to its fullest.

So, as you end the year of 2009 and celebrate with friends and family, remember to pray. Pray that God will bless 2010. Pray that you will become more and more available to what His will for you is. Pray that as He grows you and shows you things, you WILL respond.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Some choose to cover their eyes and although they can't see where they are going they think they are more comfortable because the light is not so bright. Some turn their back to the light and either decide to retrace their steps and relive past experiences or they decide to walk backward and they miss everything that is placed in front of them. Some people put on sunglasses and accept the light but dim it so that it is comfortable and non threatening. They see the truth in part but never really experience the Glory of the Light. And then there are those who embrace the brightness of the light and trust that the author of that light will guide them even though they can't see the next step. They get to experience all that the light has to offer and they rest in that. I want to be a person who embraces the light in 2010 to the fullest!